College and Career Information

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Financial Aid

The key resource for both scholarships and financial aid is the college (or university or technical school) you hope to attend. Contact a college admissions counselor or financial aid counselor at your school(s) of interest for the most accurate, up-to-date information.

Financial aid typically comes in the form of grants (free money) or loans (money that will eventually need to be paid back). Click here for a "map" explaining the financial aid process.

Key to being eligible for financial aid is filling out the Free Application for Student Aid, more commonly known as FAFSA. For students entering college in/after the fall of 2017, the FAFSA will open in October. The information contained in this application is used to calculate your need for financial aid. Paper worksheets are available, though the final application will be submitted online.

Prior to filling out FAFSA, both parent(s) and student need to create a Federal Student Aid ID to start in the application process. This can be done in the fall of the senior year.

Use the FAFSA 4Caster to explore your family's eligibility for financial aid.

The Texas Financial Aide Information Center is a free hotline available to all Texas students and families pursuing higher education. Call center representatives can provide assistance in English and Spanish with the Texas college admission process adn help with understanding and applying for financial aid. Call 1-888-311-8881.

For help filling out FAFSA, watch this video (available in English and in Spanish).

Opportunities for financial aid are also available to undocumented students. Instead of completing the FAFSA, students will complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).

FinAid -- The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid has a section to help answer questions undocumented students may have as they search for financial support for college. Visit www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml